Management Matters - New Management Checklist

Management Matters: is
a New Article series dealing with the issues that
arise when managing personnel and how to optimize your
current staff in a company.

New Management ChecklistJuly 1st, 2008

The move up the corporate ladder has many perils, including
when you are the new boss for your former peers. The
move may seem easy, but career coach and author Sherri
Thomas warns executives of some pitfalls:

1. Beware the two extremes. New managers often fall into one of two
categories: Overbearing and power-happy or unable to step up to the
plate and manage even the simplest projects. Your former friends can
easily turn on you if you adopt either persona.

2. Don’t undermine your new position. On the other end are the
new managers who spend all of their time worried about losing the friendship
of the former peers they now manage. Be sure to quell problems quickly
rather than let them languish. Take a softer approach when appropriate,
but if you need to take charge, do so.

3. Strengthen your credibility. As a new manager, you need to understand
senior management’s expectations of you and your team. Go to your
supervisor and develop an outline for what’s expected of you.
Call a meeting with your staff to give an overview so there’s
less chance they’ll feel left in the dark.

4. Align your expectations with those of your team. It is important
to understand your team members’ needs and to help them realize
their unique contributions to the team. Take the time to meet one-on-one
with them and discuss their roles and responsibilities.

5. Establish a support network. One area new managers often overlook
is establishing a strong network of mentors and coaches who can provide
strategies, support, and inspiration needed to succeed.

6. Realize that mistakes are OK. Everyone makes mistakes, especially
in those first few months.